Pope Franci’s visit in Lithuania, 22nd and 23rd of September, 2018

SATURDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER, IN VILNIUS

11:30

Meeting in Daukantas Square

The Pope will make a courtesy visit to the President at the Presidential Palace on Daukantas Square and will meet in the square with authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. All who wish to join this meeting with the Holy Father are invited to come to the square.

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Important note: A security check is planned for entry to the meeting venue, so arriving on time is important. Sharp or metal objects (such as knives, metal rods, handles, large key rings, etc.) are forbidden. Participants can carry umbrellas, portable seats, water (in a plastic container) and flags (without metal poles).

14:00

Start of meeting with young people in Cathedral Square

The Pope is inviting young people to meet on Saturday afternoon in Cathedral Square in Vilnius. The events, starting at 14:00, will be like an echo of World Youth Day. Artistic performances are planned as well as hymns and testimonials, all culminating with an address to the young people by Pope Francis himself. Everyone of any age is welcome in the areas surrounding the square.

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While waiting for the Pope in Cathedral Square, a programme of events for youth will be held.

Participants: Young people age 14-35 are invited to take part in the meeting.

Registration: Register online at (REGISTRATION). People (of any age) who are not registered are also invited to take part and follow the meeting from the areas surrounding the square.

Arrival: Participants will be admitted to Cathedral Square starting at 10:00, but no later than 14:00. It is important to abide by the recommended arrival time specified on your invitation.

Groups arriving by chartered bus are advised to register their buses so they are allocated a place to park.

Important note: A security check is planned for entry to Cathedral Square, so arriving on time is important. Sharp or metal objects (such as knives, metal rods, handles, large key rings, etc.) are forbidden. Participants can carry umbrellas, portable seats, food and water (in plastic containers) and flags (without metal poles).

Lodging: Youth groups travelling to Kaunas after the meeting with the Pope in Vilnius who need lodging in Kaunas for the night should write to nakvyne@popieziausvizitas.lt

14:30

Meeting at the Gate of Dawn

Pope Francis will visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy at the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius and pray a part of the Rosary. Joining him will be families that provide foster care, have adopted children, or wish to do so, gathered on Aušros Vartų Street. All people of good will are welcome to pray together with the Holy Father, and should approach from the Town Hall Square side.

Arrival: Participants should arrive at the Gate of Dawn by 14:30, from the Town Hall Square side.

16:45

Greeting the Pope on his way from the Gate of Dawn to Cathedral Square

18:30

Greeting the Pope on his way from the Cathedral to the Apostolic Nunciature

Participants: All who wish may greet the Pope by coming to the streets indicated on the route by 18:30.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, IN KAUNAS AND VILNIUS

08:00

Preparation for Holy Mass at Confluence Park in Kaunas

From early morning, preparations for the Holy Mass to be celebrated by the Pope will begin at Confluence Park in Kaunas. All those present will be able to pray, sing and hear testimonials together. Participants will be given Mass booklets on entering their sectors. The Papal Mass will be the highpoint of the Pope’s visit to Lithuania. After the Mass, the Holy Father will lead the traditional prayer of the Angelus.

The Pope will celebrate Holy Mass at 10:00 and afterward pray the Angelus. Before the Mass, a preparatory programme will be held in Confluence Park.

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Registration: Register online. People who are not registered are also invited to take part in the Holy Mass in the areas especially designated for them.

Arrival: Pilgrims will be admitted to Confluence Park from 22:00 Saturday night until 08:00 Sunday morning. It is important to abide by the recommended arrival time specified on your invitation.

Groups arriving by chartered bus are advised to register their buses so they are allocated a place to park.

Priests from other countries who wish to concelebrate at the Holy Mass may register here.

14:20

Greeting the Pope on his way from the Kaunas Archdiocesan Curia to the Cathedral

Route: The Pope will move by popemobile as follows: Town Hall Square – M. Valančiaus Street.

Participants: All who wish may greet the Pope by coming to the streets and square indicated on the route.

13:30

Meeting of the Pope with priests, religious, consecrated persons and seminarians

In the afternoon, Pope Francis will meet at Kaunas Cathedral Basilica with priests, men and women religious and consecrated persons, and seminarians. While awaiting the Holy Father, the Akathist Hymn will be sung. All who wish to watch the meeting are invited to do so at Town Hall Square in Kaunas or on LRT television.

It will be possible to watch a live broadcast of the meeting on screens set up in Kaunas’s Town Hall Square.

16:30

Afternoon meeting at Lukiškės Square in Vilnius

The Holy Father will visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius. He will pray by several cells in the former KGB prison it contains. Then the Pope will stop at a monument to the victims of soviet occupation. There, together with all those gathered in Lukiškės Square, he will pray for those who were imprisoned or killed for Lithuania’s freedom.

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Important note: A security check is planned for entry to the meeting venue, so arriving on time is important. Sharp or metal objects (such as knives, metal rods, handles, large key rings, etc.) are forbidden. Participants can carry umbrellas, portable seats, food and water (in plastic containers) and flags (without metal poles).

17:45

Greeting the Pope on his way from Lukiškės Square to the Apostolic Nunciature